Multiplex-writing apparatus.



No. 65|,903. Patented lune l9, I900.

C. TSCHINKEL. MULTIPLEX WRITING APPARATUS.

(Application filed. Feb. 28, 1899.)

' (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

m: Mann's PETERS 00,. PHOTO-UTHO.. WASHINGTON. u. 4;.

No. 65|,903,. Patnted June l9, I900. J c. TSCHINKEL.

MULTIPLEX WRITING APPABATUS.

(Application filed Feb. 28, 1899.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

0. TSCHINKEL.

MULTIPLEX WRITING APPARATUS. (Ap wlication filed. Feb. 26, 1899.)

Patented June l9, I900.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

PATENT QF'FICE.

cAMILLo rsonmnnh, or VIENNA, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

ivi ULTIPLEX-WRII'II'ING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N6. 651,903, dated. June 19, 1900. Application filed February 28, 1899- Serial No. 707,184. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OAMILLo' TSCHINKEL, a subject of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, residing at Vienna, in the Province of 'Lower Austria, in the Empire of Austria-Hungary, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Multiplex-Writing Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, and to figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to apparatus designed to enable a number of sheets to be written on at the same places simultaneously, and thus to produce in one single writing operation a number of identical documents.

In this apparatus the sheets which are to be written on at suitable places by means of a multiple pen or of a multiple lead-pencil are passed over fixed supporting-bars and between pairs of pressure-rollers covered with elastic material and capable of being moved by means of ratchet mechanism, so that'the sheets are drawn forward to an extentequal to the distance between the lines of writing. This writing instrument comprises several pens or pencils attached to a support which is arranged obliquely to the holder and which may be attached to the holder either rigidly or pivotally, and which is rendered flexible by means of compression-springs or tensionsprings inserted between the holder and the support, whereby a uniform bearing of all the pens or pencils upon the sheets is produced. An apparatus of this kind for simultaneously writinga number of iden tioal documents is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the apparatus shown in the position of use. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus in which some parts of the same are shown in the inoperative position. Fig. 3 is a plan of the apparatus. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 illustratevarious constructions of the multiple pen, (in the present case a triple pen.)

As shown, in the box 1 there are transverse bars 2 equal in number to the number of the identically-similar documents that are to be produced. In the side walls of the box 1 or in plates 3 therein there are mounted three pairs of rollers 4 5, 6 '7, and 8 9, corresponding to the number of cross-bars. Of these pairs of rollers the first .two pairs are arranged below the cross-bars 2, while the third pair of rollers 8 9 are arranged behind the last cross-bar 2. The rollers of all the pairs are covered with elastic material, preferably caoutchouc, and they serve to grasp the sheets to be written on and to draw them forward. The sheets (indicated by dash-dotted lines in Fig. 1) are inserted with their lower ends loosely into the slot (situated in front of the cross-bar) into the box. The upper end of the sheet is passed over the corresponding cross-bar 2 and is inserted into the slot situated behind the latter in such a manner that the upper edge of the sheet will be caught by the corresponding pair of rollers. cilitated' by the fact that guides 37 are attached to the lower side of the cross-bars, as shown in Fig. 1. The last sheet is inserted through a slot 1 in the rear wall of the box -1,

This is fadirectly over the rear bar 2, between the corresponding pair of rollers 8 9, which are arranged laterally of the said bar.

For the purpose of keeping the parts of the sheet that enter the inside of the box well apart round bent parallel metal plates 11 are provided, between which there are formed guide-slots 12 12 l2l2 for the sheets that move over the bars. The metal plates 11, as shown in Fig. 1, are arranged below the feedrolls 4 5 and 6 7 and extend to an opening 1 in the rear wall of the box 1, below the opening 1*. The sheet of paperlO in the forward guide 12 moves over the forward cross-bar 2, p

and thence between rollers 4 5 into guide slot or passage 12. The second sheet of paper in the guide-slot 12 moves over the next crossbar 2, and thence between feed-rolls 6 7 into guide-slot 12", while the third sheet of paper passes over the upper one of the plates 11 in the direction of the arrow, thenceover the last cross-bar 2, thence between the rolls 8 9, and is withdrawn when written upon from the rear end of the box l through the aperture 1 while the first two sheets are withdrawn through the aperture 1". The movement of the pairs of rollers is efiected by means of a ratchet mechanism which consists of aratchet-pawl '13,h a-vin g a handle and a ratchet 14, upon the shaft of which there is mounted a small toothed wheel 15, which is rigidly connected to the roller 4 and which gears with a toothed wheel 16 of the same size, that is rigidly connected to the second roller 5. The

. transmission of the motion of the ratchet mechanism to the other pairs of rollers is effected by means of the toothed wheel 17, that is mounted on the ratchet wheel shaft-that is to say, through the medium of the intermediate wheels 18 19 2O 21 to the pair of rollers 6 and 7, and from the wheel 19, through the medium of the intermediate wheels 22,

23, 24, and 25, to the last pair of rollers 8 and 9. The transmission is effected, as will be seen from Fig. 2, in such a manner that the ward movement of the sheets-thatis to say,

. 'terminatesin twopressure-knobs 31, that pro i .bar.

the distance apart between the lines-can be varied as desired.

For the purpose of effecting an exact hearing of the sheets upon the surface of the cross-v bars there is provided a brake device, which consists of a friction-roller 29 for. each cross- The friction-rollers are arranged in the slot situated in front of the corresponding cross bars and are each mounted in a rotary manner in a common sliding bar 30 at both ends. The rearward extension of the latter ject from the rear wall of the box, and it is subject to the pressure of the flat springs 32, which have a tendency to push the sliding bars 30- .backward. Below each of thetwosliding bars 30 there is a spring pawl 33 fixed pivotallyto theside wall ofthebox. This pawl is causedby'the forward movement. of the sliding bar 30, produced by pressing the knob 31, to engage-over a conical lug 34 on the bar 30 and to'keep the latter in its position. A- pin or knob 35, fixed on the side of the pawl. 33., extends through aslot 36 in the side wall of "the box, and it can be pressed down by handin opposition to the action of the spring, so. asto disengage the sliding bar 30, which is. pressed backward by the action ofjthe spring-'32. disengaged in this manner, all the frictionrollers 29 bear against the front surfaces of thecorresponding cross-bars, with the result that-the sheets of paper which are situated between "the cross-bars and the friction-rollers, are. gripped with a moderate pressure.

7 By means of the friction thus produced the sheets are maintained in tension, sothat they will lie flat upon the cross-bars.

The opening 1 in the rear wall of box 1 is closed by gate 1 which may be secured in a closed position by any suitable means, said gate having bearing on the push-knobs 31 of the bars 30 and holding said bars in their forward position, with the clamping or brake rolls 29'out of contact with the cross-bars 2, so that when the apparatus is to be used the various sheets of paper may be positioned, which could not otherwise be conveniently done, after'which the gate may be opened to allow the springs 32 to move the bars 30 backward to cause the clamping or brake rolls to clamp the sheets of paper to their respective bars. This gate may also be made use of, especially when writing upon very thin paper, whenever the sheets are to befed forward the distance of a line, as the gate can be closed with one hand to disengage the rollers 29 from the writing-bars 2 and the'feed-pawl 17 actuated with the other.

The pens or pencils used for writing comprise as many pens or pencils 38 as there are cross-bars 2. In the present case there are three of such pens 38, which are fixed to a carrier 40, that is-arranged at a suitable an gle to the holder 39. v

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 4 the carrier 40 is rigidly connected to the holder. In the multiple pen shown in Fig. 5 the carrier 40 is pivotally connected at its middle to an extension 41f of the holder 39, substantially parallel to the part 40, compression-springs 43 being inserted at both ends between the parts 40 and 41. In the arrangement'shown in Fig. 6 the two arms 42, that form a fork,

, are fixed to the holder'39, and the carrier is pivotally mounted in the ends of said arms, a spiral-sprin g 43 being inserted-between the holder 39 and the-carrier 40.

' In writing the. pen is placed upon those parts of the sheetsof paper (that are-clamped in the manner described) which pass over the cross-bars. pen, Fig. 4, requires a greater skill, the two other pens canbe easily manipulated, because I by reason of the yieldingconnection of the carrier 40 with the holder of the pen, a con stantly-uniform bearing orpressure of allthe pens upon the sheets is insured. In all cases i the hand must, however, be well supported during writing, and for this purpose there is provided at the front of the box a sloping plate 44, which consists, preferably, of anumber of parts'hinged together, and which is supported by means of side pins in vertically-slotted guides 46, projecting in front When both sliding bars have been 7 front edge of the plate 44 rests on the table and the pins 45 are supported by the lower ends of the guides-43. When the apparatus is out of use, the plate 44 can be folded to- I ge-ther, as. shownin Fig. 2, and overthe. whole apparatus as a cover.- To the rear edgeof Whereas writing with the rigid the box there is hinged an apparatus designed for blotting oif the freshly-written matter. This apparatus consists of a hinged plate 47, which is raised by spring-pressure and upon which blotting-paper 49 is stretched over an elastic underlay 48. This blotting-paper is fixed at one end in a slot in the plate and at its other end is wound on a rotary clip 50 of any known kind. The plate 47 is connected by a link 51 and lever 52 with a slotted lever 53, by depressing which the plate is brought down, so that the blotting-paper can blot off the freshly-written matter on the sheets.

I claim 1. In a multiplex-Writing apparatus, a plurality of spaced writing-bars, a pair of feedrolls near each of said bars, means for separately guiding a sheet of paper over each of said bars, gearing imparting synchronous feed movements to all of said pairs of rolls, and mechanism for determining the amplitude of said feed movements, for the purpose set forth.

2. In a multiplex-writing apparatus, a plurality of spaced writing-bars, a pair of feedrolls near each of said bars, means for separately guiding a sheet of paper over each of said bars, gearing imparting synchronous feed movements to all of said pairs of rolls, and adjustable mechanism for Varying the amplitude of said feed movements, for the purpose set forth.

3. In a multiplex-writing apparatus, a plurality of spaced writing-bars, a clampingroller in front of each bar, means automatically moving said rol-lersinto contact with their respective bars, and means for moving said rollers out of contact with their said bars, for the purpose set forth.

4. In a multiplex-writing apparatus, a plurality. of spaced writing-bars, a clampingroller in front of each bar, means automatically moving said rollers into contact with their respective bars, means for moving said rollers out of contact with their said bars, and means for holding said rollers out of contact, for the purpose set forth.

5. In a multiplex-writing apparatus, a plurality of spaced writing-bars, a clampingroller in front of each bar, a pair of feed-rolls below each of the first two bars and at the rear of the last bar, guides for each separate sheet of paper leading respectively to a clamping-roll and from a pair of feed-rolls, and mechanism for moving the clamping-rolls into and out of contact with their respective writing-bars, for the purpose set forth.

6. In a multiplex-writing apparatus, a plurality of spaced writing-bars, mechanism for progressively and synchronously feeding a sheet of writing material over each of said bars, clamping devices, and means for simultaneously operating the same to clamp said sheets totheir respective bars, for the purpose set forth.

7. In a multiplex-writing apparatus, a plurality of spaced writing-bars, mechanism for progressively and synchronously feeding a sheet of writing material over each of said bars, a clamping-roller in front of each of the move the rollers into and out of contact with the vertical front face of the writing-bars, for the purpose set forth.

8. In a multiplex-writing apparatus, a plurality of spaced writing-bars, mechanism for progressively and synchronously feeding a sheet of writing material over each of said bars, a clamping-roller on one side of each bar, a support common to all said rollers, a spring or springs acting on said support to hold the rollers in contact with the vertical front faceof their respective bars, and means for moving the support and locking the same against the stress of its spring or springs, for the purpose set forth.

9. In a multiplex-writing apparatus, a plurality of spaced writing-bars arranged in tandem, a feed-duct on one side of each bar, a delivery-duct on the oppositev side of all the bars except the last, a pair of dra wing-rolls above the delivery-ducts, and a pair of like rolls in rear of the last of said bars, and mechanism for progressively and synchronously revolving the drawing-rolls; in combination with a spring controlled clamping roller above each feed-duct for clamping a sheet of 'writing material to the vertical face of each of said bars, for the purpose set forth.

10. In a multiplex-writing apparatus, the

combination with the box or casing, and a plurality of writing-bars arranged transversely therein near its upper edge, of a spring-1e tracted blotting-pad hinged to the rear end of such box, said pad fitting the box above the writing-bars, means for depressing the .pad onto the writing-bars, and means for retaining said pad into depressed position, for the purpose set forth.

11. In a multiplex-writing apparatus, the combination with the box or casing and a plurality of writing-bars arranged transversely therein near its upper edge; of a spring-retracted blotting-pad fitting into the upper end of the box, and means for moving the pad onto the writing-bars, and a folding hand-rest articulated to the forward end of the box and folding onto said blotting-pad when depressed into the box, for the purpose set forth.

12. In multiplex-writing apparatus comprising a box, a plurality of writingbars spaced and rigidly secured therein, mechanism for progressively and synchronouslyfeeding a sheet of writing material over each of said bars, and a blotter hinged to one end of said box to fold into the same; in combination with a foldable hands-est hinged to the opposite end of said box in vertically-elongated bearings and adapted to fold onto the blotter and form, when folded, a cover for the box, substantially as set forth.

13. In multiplex-writing apparatus, comprising a box provided in its rear end wall with two superposed aper'tures ezitendingacross said box, 'three writing-bars spaced and rigidly secured therein nearthe opposite :Spectively leading to thewriting-bars from the feed-rolls thereof, for the purpose setforth.

end thereof, a feed-passage on the front side and below each of said bars, a deliver'y-passage in rear of and below two of said barsextending to the lower opening in the rear Wall of the box, a pair of drawing-rolls above each delivery-passage for two of the bars, a similar pair of rolls in rear of the third bar, said rolls having their nip substantially in line,

with the upper opening in the aforesaid rear Wall of the box, clamping-rolls in front of each of said bars, a-spring-controlled support-commori to all of said clamping-rolls to clamp-the writing material to the front vertical face of the writing-bars and means for moving and holding the said rolls out of contact with said bars; in combination with a blotter-carrier hingedto the rear Wall of the box to fold onto the Writingbars and a foldable hand rest hinged tothe front wall of the box to fold upon the blotter'and form a cover for the box, sub-f stantially as'described.

or casing, a plurality of writing-bars therein,

a pair of feed-rolls for each of said bars and mechanism for imparting synchronous feed movements to each of said pairs of rolls; in combination with a pair of guides for each writing-bar and separate sheetof paper, 1:6-

10. in a multiplex-writing apparatus, three writing-bars 2, a clamping-roller in front of, and avpair of feed-rolls between and below each two bars, and a like pair of'rolls in rear of and above the last bar; in combination with mechanism for moving the clamping- -rolls into and out of contact with their respective writing-bars, and mechanism for 1111- parting synchronous feed movements to the three pairs of feed-rolls, for the purpose set forth. 7

16. In a multiplex-writing apparatus, a plurality of writing-bars and mechanism for progressively and synchronously feeding a sheet of writing material over each of said bars, and in combination therewith, a carrier carryinginscribing devices, one for each writing-bar, a holder to which said carrier is pivoted, and resilient bearings between the carrier and holder, substantially as'and for the purposes set forth. 14. ha multiplex-writing apparatus, a box I In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

OAMILLO TSCHINKEL.

Witnesses:

ALVESTO S. HOGUE, AUGUST FUGGER. 

